Status of Children Act 1974

For all the purposes of the law of Victoria the relationship between every person and his father and mother shall be determined irrespective of whether the father and mother are or have been married to each other and all other relationships shall be determined accordingly.

The rule of construction whereby in any instrument, in the absence of expression of any intention to the contrary, words of relationship signify only legitimate relationship is abolished.

For the purpose of construing any instrument the use, with reference to relationship of a person, of the words "legitimate" or "lawful" shall not of itself prevent the relationship from being determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (1).

This section shall apply in respect of every person, whether born before or after the commencement of this Act, whether born in Victoria or not, and whether or not his father or mother has ever been domiciled in Victoria.